100 years in 12 months

Huntington Beach celebrated its first 100 years as a city with a yearlong centennial celebration that included something for everyone.

More than 30 volunteers made up the Huntington Beach Centennial Celebration Committee, which worked for about two years and spent hundreds of hours individually to plan all the centennial events, activities and exhibits.

“The idea here is to really reach out and touch everyone in the community,” committee Co-chairman Stephen Bone said. “It was about celebrating in the respective communities in Huntington Beach.”

Surf City incorporated Feb. 17, 1909, and has grown into the fourth-largest city in the county and the 16th in the state as of last year. The city draws more than 16 million visitors a year, and more than 200,000 people call it home.

The committee received more than $200,000 in sponsorships to put on a year’s worth of events, said city spokeswoman Laurie Payne.

The city began its celebration in January with a historical exhibit at the Huntington Beach Art Center and a Centennial Ball at the Hyatt. Each month carried a different theme, from education and environment to sports and faith-based communities, to meet the city’s mission to educate, celebrate and commemorate.

Mayor Cathy Green said the centennial celebration was “fabulous” and that it was important for residents to remember the city’s past. In April, the city focused on the environment with a walking tour from the Shipley Nature Center to the beach and a discussion with former Mayor Debbie Cook on the city’s energy future.

In September, plein air painters invaded Main Street for “Painting in the Streets,” part of the celebration of art, music and culture. The Golden Bear was also resurrected for one weekend with performances by Honk, David Lindley, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Ray Manzarek of the Doors.

“We wanted it to be really inclusive and include as many people as possible,” former mayor and committee Co-chairman Ron Shenkman said.

Former Mayor Ralph Bauer worked on June, the city’s diversity month. Bauer said he wanted to remind residents of the diverse society in which we live. The committee put on a month full of events, including a talk by the youngest person on Schindler’s list, a round table discussion from major religious leaders in the community and a documentary and discussion on the desegregation of the Westminster School District.

Bauer moved to Huntington Beach in the 1960s with his wife and said the city was a “kind of funny little beach town.”

While the town has grown and changed over the years, Bauer said, it still retains its small-town spirit, and that is one of the aspects he wanted to celebrate. He also thought the citizens earned a commemoration.

“I thought they deserved a nice celebration and a little pat on the back,” he said.

Kids Talk Back

What will Huntington Beach be like in 100 years? The Independent asked a group of students at Hawes Elementary School for their predictions.

“I think there will be robots in houses to help take care of it.”

Kevin Volk, 9

“They probably wouldn’t have those hotels on the beach.”

Katie Volk, 6

“All of the oceans will be cleaner.”

Kaylee Prevratil, 9

“Like a rich place with lots of things like oil and coins. I think most people will have lots of money, so they might live in mansions.”

Shane Piovesan, 8

“I’m thinking that it will be beautiful and the plants will be green.”

Claire Prevratil, 6